Mining magnate Clive Palmer’s election campaign may have to take a back seat to a court skirmish over a speeding fine received earlier this year: the billionaire faces jail if he refuses to pay up.

Queensland’s richest man was issued with a $333 speeding fine on January 27, after he was caught by Gold Coast police allegedly driving his Mercedes-Benz at 87km/h in a 50km/h area.

Drivers are given 28 days to pay or contest speeding fines. But four months after the issue of his ticket – and accompanying four demerit points – Mr Palmer has not paid up.

The State Penalties Enforcement Registry can enforce a range of punishments to encourage less-than-willing Queenslanders to pay their fines – from suspending driving licences and ordering employers to deduct the sum owed from their wages (possibly difficult in Mr Palmer’s case) to issuing police with a warrant for a driver’s arrest.